Discussions about the impact of the western world on eastern martial arts, as taught in the west today.

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Fruit Ninja Buddy Day / Super Saturday

WARNING .... WARNING .... YOU NEED TO USE COMMON SENSE AND TOTAL CONTROL WITH THIS BUDDY DAY. SHARP WEAPONS AND CHILDREN DO NOT MIX WITHOUT ENGINEERED AND INHERENT SAFETY CONTROLS.

We have a buddy day on the Saturday after every stripe test, during stripe test week. We do not force the issue of bringing buddies, but rather make sure they know that this is a Super Saturday reward class for successfully completing stripe test. We allow them to bring family members and quests. We also provide invitations, nearly always in the same format, so that they can recognize the invitations for what they are, also reducing the pressure to come or to ask friends. As a result, we get a steady stream of friends to try one or more buddy days, and have as AWESOME TIME with our students.

Supplies:

Stand: We have used a stand made of PVC pipe to hold melons and pumpkins (To View Pumpkin Fruit Ninja click HERE.) for a few decades.

Fruit: Recently we we thought we might do a strike that required more accuracy and control to succeed at, so we moved to Potatoes, Tomatoes, cabbage, apples and onions.

Order of Class: We have generally decided what strike we want to teach to each class level, making it the same if possible, from tiny children through adults, but if an class is in the middle of curriculum that involves the katana or bokken, we use a strike from that form or series.

0) We show a katana. In our case we use a XMA or HYPER sword, a real sword and a bokken; however, you can use whatever your have. We also pass on any lore we know relating to Samurai and the Katana.

1) Teach the strike in the air. (Bokken)

2) Teach the strike on Pads (heavy bags if possible to prevent injury)

Click Picture to buy from Amazon

3) Line them up in line facing instructors or helpers, about 10 feet away if possible, and slowly throw tennis balls at them, to give them practice hitting "fruit" sized objects. (If you are using the Stand and Mellon version, you skip this step.

We use a package of 12 balls, Tourna Mesh Pack of 12 Tennis Balls
be purchase from Amazon for a little less than $1 a ball. (Actually we also allow the kids to name the balls. They normally last 12 months after this buddy day, just in time for the next one, so we use the balls in class for targets, and they love remembering the names. Sometimes they actually ask for them by name.)

Finally, take pictures and videos, and post them on the FACEBOOK fan page. Parents, students and staff all like to see their good work.
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